Sept. 21, 1931 — March 20, 2016

Dorothy Mae “MaDear” Wallace, age 84, of Cassopolis, died peacefully Sunday evening, March 20, 2016 in the peace and comfort of her family’s presence in her daughter’s residence in South Bend, Indiana.

She was born Sept. 21, 1931, in Clarksdale, Mississippi to LeRoy and Maggie (Hunter) Anderson, the second of three children. She married Joseph Dennis Wallace Jan. 5, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois. He preceded her in death in 2004. She was also preceded by her parents; one daughter, Diane James; one son, Darnell Gillam; two brothers, James Lee Anderson and Robert Anderson; and chosen sister, Charlotte McNary.

Dorothy cherished her family and friends, and was not a stranger to anyone. She loved music and dancing. Dorothy’s life consisted of a lot of community involvement, including membership in the Minority Coalition, the Area Council on Aging, the Red Hat Society, Lt. William E. Lozier V.F.W. Post 10704 Auxiliary, Eastern Star, and the Cass County Community Policing Program, to name just a few. She was also a devoted Avon Lady for over 20 years, earning a place in the President’s Club. Dorothy’s love for the children of the community was shared by their love for her. She will always be remembered as “Miss Wallace” the bus driver along with being a retired Quality Inspector at Smurfit Corporation. Dorothy was a faithful member of the House of Prayer Church in Cassopolis and was a Witness to the Lord at the Church of Cassopolis. Dorothy always had a hello, a smile and a “How you doin’, love?”

Dorothy will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her three daughters, Joy (Joseph) Decker of South Bend, Indiana, Jean Howard of Shape, Belgium, Joan Wallace of Kalamazoo; two sons, Duane (Donna) Gillam of Cassopolis, Joey Wallace of Oceanside, California; 26 grandchildren; t23e great grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather Saturday, March 26, 2016 from noon until time of service at 1 p.m. in Church of Cassopolis, 520 Pearl Street, Cassopolis, with Apostle Christopher J. Pittman officiating. Mrs. Wallace’s remains will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Joseph Wallace in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis.

The family prefers contributions in Dorothy’s memory be made to Cass County Council on Aging, Post Office Box 5, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.